John A. “Bud” Hillerich
In 1894, 17-year-old John A. "Bud" Hillerich, an avid fan of the Louisville Eclipse major league baseball team, watched one day as the team's star hitter broke his bat. Later, Bud brought the celebrated Pete Browning back to his father's woodworking shop and, with Pete's guidance, made a custom bat for him. Bud's creation helped "The Old Gladiator" hit his way out of a slump, became the forerunner of the legendary Louisville Slugger and led to a company that would become synonymous with America's "National Pastime."
Located on Broadway at Fourth, facing east
Sponsor: Hillerich and Bradsby
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